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The main goal of this trip was to meet up with friends to celebrate birthdays in an exotic destination. The choice fell on Marrakech, Morocco. As we only had a short three-day window on site, our priority was clear: minimize travel time to maximize time spent with our friends.
In this context, Air Transat was the ideal option as it is the only airline to offer a direct seasonal flight between Montreal and Marrakech. In summer 2024, the company also added Marrakech to its network, with two weekly flights: departures from Montreal on Wednesday and Saturday, and returns from Marrakech on Thursday and Sunday. This schedule was perfect for our itinerary, allowing us to arrive early Thursday morning and depart on Sunday, making the most of our short stay.
For this trip, we deliberately chose the Eco Standard class, as we felt that Club Class, the equivalent of business class on this type of flight, was unnecessary for such a short stay. Since Air Transat does not yet have its own loyalty program, we purchased our tickets with cash. However, several rewards programs allow you to redeem points for this type of purchase made with a credit card, including National Bank’s program, making the experience more rewarding for Air Transat travellers.
Finally, it is worth highlighting the joint venture launched between Air Transat and Porter. This significantly expands the network accessible to travellers and offers new loyalty opportunities: VIPorter members can now redeem their points with Air Transat as well as with Alaska Airlines, and soon American Airlines.
VIPorter members can earn points with their credit card BMO VIPorter Mastercard®* and use them for flights with Air Transat and Alaska Airlines.
Note that you can also use travel rewards points from credit cards like the National Bank World Elite Mastercard as well as the $150 annual travel credit to cover part or all of your flight.
Here’s the current welcome offer for this card:
True to our habits, we arrived a little early at Montreal–Trudeau Airport to enjoy one of the lounges in the international zone. We took the opportunity to visit the brand new Aspire Lounge in the international zone. You can also read our detailed review on this topic:
Our round-trip flights between Montreal and Marrakech were operated by the same Airbus A330-200 (C-GUFR), an aircraft initially put into service in 1999 and modernized by Air Transat in 2019. Despite these improvements, it’s clear that the aircraft is not new.
The Economy cabin is arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration. As soon as you settle in, you immediately feel the lack of space: the narrow aisles and proximity to your neighbours give the impression of travelling in cramped conditions. You constantly have to squeeze past to avoid contact, and every movement requires vigilance. I was bumped several times by passengers or staff. The thin armrests offer little privacy and personal space is very limited, making the experience quite uncomfortable on a transatlantic flight. You feel confined in a functional but uninspired cabin, with minimal comfort and a constant feeling of narrowness.
The seat itself offers a decent recline and stable cushioning, but nothing more. The individual touchscreen is small (barely the width of two Canadian passports side-by-side), sufficient for distraction but far from offering an immersive experience.
Overall, the A330-200 Economy cabin fulfills its function: transporting passengers from one point to another. However, the overall experience was marked by a constant search for a comfortable position, making it unpleasant and certainly not conducive to relaxation.
The onboard service is polite and satisfactory, but nothing stands out. The crew is attentive during key moments, but the experience remains fairly standard without any truly personalized touches.
As for meals, we were a bit disappointed.
On the outbound overnight flight, dinner was a simple choice: beef lasagna or vegetarian shepherd’s pie, served with a bread roll, carrot salad, and a brownie. A selection of complimentary drinks, including wine, was offered. Before landing, a slice of banana bread was served.
On the return flight, although it was a daytime flight, the dimmed lighting and mostly closed window shades created a night flight atmosphere. The early morning departure (8 AM) and passengers trying to catch up on sleep probably explain this atmosphere. The meal offered included a choice of chicken with rice, accompanied by bread, a couscous salad, and a small hazelnut cake, with the same complimentary beverage offer including wine.
The general atmosphere on board was calm: the night flight naturally promotes rest, and on the day flight, the dimmed lighting also contributes to a relaxing environment. The experience is not particularly remarkable, with the meals being the most disappointing aspect.
The overall experience with Air Transat on the direct Montreal–Marrakech route in Eco Standard proved functional but unremarkable. The round-trip flights are convenient, fast, and avoid layovers, which is undeniably an asset for a short stay.
However, the cramped and uncomfortable Economy cabin, and the relatively simple meals, limit the enjoyment of the trip. The service is polite and efficient, but remains basic, without real personalization. In summary, these direct flights fulfill their role and allow for quick arrival in Marrakech, but the onboard experience remains modest and focused on functionality rather than comfort or gastronomy.
The purpose of this short stay in Marrakech was to meet up with friends and fully enjoy three days on site. Despite the limited duration, we explored the Medina, went quad biking in the desert, and concluded our adventure with a traditional evening at the Comptoir Darna restaurant. For those wishing to extend the experience or prepare their own trip, our Morocco Guide offers a wealth of information and practical advice.
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